December 12, 2006

 

Minutes of the Governing Board Voting Session of Tuesday, December 12, 2006, beginning at 5:30 p.m. held in the District Office Board Room.

 

Governing Board Members Present:

 

President Joan Fleming

Dr. Andy Newton

Mrs. Dee Navarro

Mr. Tom Staley

Mr. Steve Campbell

 

Also Present:

Mr. Kevin Kapp, Superintendent

Dr. Chris Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent

Mrs. Renee Raskin, Chief Financial Officer

Mrs. Andrea Mayer, Assistant to the Governing Board

 

Others Present:

 

          Bill Monroe                    Shari Lopatin                 David Martin

          Dave McGee                   Lisa Sandberg                Louisa Nelson

          Lou Beneitone               Ron Clearly                    Jon Brambila

          Pam Percival                   WTS Student Council

                                                                            

CALL TO ORDER

President Joan Fleming called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. after reconvening from an executive session.  She thanked the Mr. Paul Manz and the GMMS String Ensemble for their performance of holiday music prior to the meeting.

 

OPENING CEREMONY AND WELCOME

Mr. John Vanuk led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and President Fleming welcomed everyone in attendance.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

President Fleming asked Mr. Kapp if the agenda was in order.  Mr. Kapp responded that it was in order.

 

Mr. Steve Campbell moved that the Governing Board approve the agenda as presented. Dr. Andy Newton seconded the motion.

 

Mrs. Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom Staley voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, and President Fleming voted aye. The motion carried 5-0.

 

PRESENTATIONS

Mr. Kevin Kapp reported that there were two teams at the varsity level that gave us all kinds of thrills and chills.  He then introduced Mr. Lou Beneitone, PHS Varsity Football Coach, and presented him, his coaching staff and the PHS Varsity Football Team with a certificate of recognition.

 

Mr. Beneitone thanked the Board for their recognition and introduced his coaching staff.  He noted that the Frosh team had gone undefeated at 8-0, the JV’s record for the year was 7-1, and the Varsity’s record for the year was 9-3 – an overall record of 24-4.  Mr. Beneitone reported that the team may not have been the biggest team, but was one of the best in shape physically, and had a lot of heart.  Mr. Beneitone had the team stand and individually introduced themselves.

 

Mr. Kapp reported that the other Varsity team that had a wonderful season was the Varsity Volleyball Team.  He then introduced Mr. Ron Cleary, PHS Varsity Volleyball Coach, and presented him, his coaching staff and the PHS Varsity Volleyball Team with a certificate of recognition.

 

Mr. Ron Cleary reported that part of their success is due to a great coaching staff at all levels that have been together for six years, and of course, the players themselves.  He noted that they would have another strong team coming back for next year.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Mr. Kapp reported that ten district art teachers had attended an art conference hosted by the Arizona Art Education Association in Laughlin, Nevada, recently and read a report from Mrs. Cheryl Moran regarding what they had learned, how they intend to share the knowledge, and the benefits of attending the conference, with thanks to the Board for their support.

 

He reported that the new Director for Discovery Gardens, Mr. Chris Lawrence, has joined the Yavapai Communities for Young Children organization, which was formed to help guide the direction of early childhood care in Yavapai County.  He noted that Chris was also selected to be a representative for Yavapai County at the Governor’s Summit on School Readiness in January.

 

He noted that the district administrators are visiting every one of the schools and sites for an hour of open forums.  He reported that they have already visited Taylor Hicks and Prescott Mile High Middle School, which were both well attended.  He noted that they are keeping track of the attendance and topics discussed and if there are any questions they can’t answer, they are getting back to the staff members with the answer the next day via e-mail.  He added that they would be visiting Abia Judd next week.

 

Mr. Kapp announced that he and several Board members will be attending the ASBA Annual Conference in Phoenix for the rest of the week.

 

 

VOTING SESSION:

 

CONSIDER APPROVING A REVISED EXPENDITURE BUDGET FOR 2006-2007

 

          Mr. Steve Campbell moved that the Governing Board approve the revised

          expenditure budget for 2006-2007.  Dr. Andy Newton seconded the         motion.

 

          Mrs. Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom Staley voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, and President Joan Fleming         voted aye.  The motion carried unanimously 5-0.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARIZONA CLASSICAL THEATRE (ACT) IN HOSTING THE ARIZONA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL THE SUMMER OF 2007

 

          Dr. Andy Newton moved that the Governing Board approve the       partnership with the Arizona Classical Theatre (ACT) in hosting the    Arizona Shakespeare Festival the Summer of 2007.  Mrs. Dee Navarro          seconded the motion.

 

President Fleming asked Ms. Lisa Sandberg, PHS English Department Chairperson, to tell the Board what she thought her students got out of this program.

 

Ms. Sandberg reported that there is a terrific amount of support for the Shakespeare program and that it is a great opportunity for students.  She noted that there is some frustration because of scheduling conflicts, when it’s not available every period.  She went on to say that our teachers ask that we have professional workshops so students have the opportunity to find out what the actors do to create and develop the characters they portray and possibly have rotating workshops.  She noted that the different classes study Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth and that she was hoping the actors could come and work specifically with those plays.

 

President Fleming asked, when are the actors available?  Ms. Sandberg responded that last year they came in the spring and did a performance and some workshops and then in the fall they came after they had finished their performances and did some scenes, which was difficult at the beginning of the year.  She stated that she felt spring was a better time.

 

President Fleming commented that she thought Ms. Sandberg could work with Mr. Johnston regarding availability and time for workshops.

 

Mr. Campbell asked, is there a way that ACT could work more directly on those plays to strengthen the curriculum?  Mr. Johnston responded, yes, no problem.

 

Ms. Sandberg noted that Mrs. Louisa Nelson was in attendance if the Board had any questions for her.

 

Mr. Campbell stated that he’d be interested to know how ACT had interacted with Mrs. Nelson’s students.

 

Mrs. Nelson responded, last year they did a workshop and there was a very positive response – the students felt it was very professional and worth the time.  She noted that there is really a need for the company to get together with the teachers to make this work.  She added that you can’t jump right into it – you have to have time to lay a foundation before the performance – not after.  She noted that the time constraint was the biggest problem.  She stated that she’d like a workshop targeted to those plays that are in our curriculum.  She added that the potential is there.  She asked, are there workshops offered in the middle schools?  She voiced a concern that those students may be falling through the cracks regarding exposure to Shakespeare.

 

Mrs. Navarro responded that she was aware of a grant and that there was a workshop at Prescott Mile High Middle School.

 

Mr. Johnston responded that they have done workshops for the middle school, that they had done an improve workshop and were asked to come back again in the spring, but the students could not make the workshop at that time.

 

President Fleming asked, when you go to the middle schools, what do you do?

Mr. Johnston responded, we like to talk to the teachers to find out what they want that we can do.  He noted that sometimes they are given specific requests and some years we just do generic workshops.  He added that they can tailor the workshops to whatever the district wants or needs.

 

Mrs. Nelson stated that she felt it was important to do a workshop at the middle school level to give them a taste of drama, to get them interested.

 

Mr. Campbell stated that he thought it was important that each teacher be very specific in what they need.

 

President Fleming suggested that the high school teachers meet and work with Mr. Johnston.

 

Mrs. Nelson asked, how many workshops are we contracted for?  Mr. Johnston responded, four.  He added that the scenes are independent of the workshops.

 

Mrs. Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom Staley voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, and President Joan Fleming voted aye. The motion carried unanimously 5-0.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING A 5% INCREASE TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY KF-EB COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

 

          Dr. Andy Newton moved that the Governing Board approve a 5%     increase to School Board Policy KF-EB Community Use of School    Facilities.  Mr. Steve Campbell seconded the motion.

 

Mr. Staley noted that he had received an e-mail from Mrs. Raskin and that category two are the primary users.  He added that he still felt it would be a good idea to keep rates as they are.

 

Mr. Campbell stated that his gut reaction is that we don’t raise rates every single year.

 

Mr. Staley added, when you increase prices, you decrease consumption.

 

Mrs. Dee Navarro voted nay, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom Staley voted nay, Mr. Steve Campbell voted nay, and President Fleming voted aye. The motion was defeated 3-2.

 

Mr. Kapp noted that the district is required to have the Board approve the rates every year.

         

CONSIDER APPROVING AN OUT-OF-STATE TRIP FOR DR. JOAN FLEMING TO ATTEND THE NSBA FEDERAL RELATIONS NETWORK CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., IN JANUARY 2007

 

          Mrs. Dee Navarro moved that the Governing Board approve the out-of-     state trip for Dr. Joan Fleming to attend the NSBA Federal Relations        Network Conference in Washington, D.C., in January 2007.  Mr. Steve   Campbell seconded the motion.

 

President Fleming stated that she would recuse herself from voting on this item.

 

Mr. Staley noted that he was an advocate of staying local and that he was not sure we get enough bang for the buck on the federal level.  He stated that he would rather stick with local and state.

 

Mr. Campbell asked Mrs. Navarro, you attended this conference – do you feel like it does good for the district?

 

Mrs. Navarro responded it was a very good educational opportunity.  I learned the workings of government on the federal level and felt my voice was heard by the legislators.  She added that she thought it was worthwhile.

 

President Fleming reported that the first two days are spent studying the issues for education on the national level for things like full funding for special education and NCLB and then lobby our state representatives.  She added that it’s important to keep in touch with our representatives – Rick Renzi, John McCain and John Kyl.  She noted that the delegates meet with all of them from each district.  She explained that NSBA would be paying for the registration fee.  She went on to say that after you’ve met with the legislators, you feel more comfortable e-mailing or calling them.  She ended by saying that the national issues are very important because they affect us at the local level.

 

Mrs. Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted nay, Mr. Tom Staley voted nay, and Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye. The motion carried 3-1.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING AN ADDITION TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PRESCOTT AND PRESCOTT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT REGARDING THE MAINTENANCE OF THE NATURE CENTER

 

          Dr. Andy Newton moved that the Governing Board approve an addition    to the intergovernmental agreement between the City of Prescott and       Prescott Unified School District regarding the maintenance of the Nature         Center. Mrs. Dee Navarro seconded the motion.

 

Mr. Kapp noted that this was an amendment to the original IGA that Mr. Jay Collier had negotiated with the City of Prescott regarding the maintenance of the Nature Center.  He noted that the districts right to full access to the property was written in the original contract.

 

Mr. Staley asked, any idea what amount of money has been spent on maintenance in the past?  Mr. Kapp responded, the Highland Nature Center has been the tenant and they used volunteer crews.  He noted that the district could use the Northpoint students and that you simply hiked the trails and picked up any trash.  He added that he did not see it as being expensive at all.

 

Mr. Staley asked, when will the money for the Nature Center be transferred?  Mr. Kapp responded, within a month.  Mr. Staley noted that the funds should be transferred on the day escrow closes.

 

          Mrs. Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom   Staley voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, and President Joan    Fleming voted aye.  The motion carried unanimously 5-0.

 

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

 

          Mr. Steve Campbell moved that the Governing Board approve the   consent agenda as presented.  Mrs. Dee Navarro seconded the        motion.

 

          Mrs. Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom Staley voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, and President Joan Fleming         voted aye.  The motion carried unanimously 5-0.

 

CONSIDER APPROVING THE CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL ACTIONS

 

Certified Staff Employments:  Calistro Martinez.

 

Certified Staff Resignations:  None.

 

New Substitute Teachers: (Total of 112)  Hanna Dustin, Carol Jackson, Judith Jenkins, Jeff Jordon, Christy McKnight, Kurt Stuckman, and David Solomon.

 

Classified Staff Employments: Sheila Culhane, Petrita Dixon, Leesa Farina, Joseph Sanchez, Leah Kimmerle, and Terry Williams-Pardo.

 

Classified Staff Resignations:  Cynthia Oxford, Darren Price, and Steve Snyder.

 

New Volunteers: Debra Favor.

 

Funding and status for the above as designated in the Personnel Report supplied in Board Briefing #312.

 

 

 

 

The acceptance of donations as presented:

 

A Dell monitor valued at $100 from Stephanie and Scott Andrews to Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy.

 

A Brother laser printer valued at $150 from Ms. Becky Fitzgerald to Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy.

 

Two HP inkjet printers valued at $75 from Chuck and Kathy Guenther to Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy.

 

A gift card from Wal-Mart valued at $50 to Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy.

 

Sod from Northland Turf, Inc. to Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy.

 

One thousand dollars from George and Elizabeth Rothfuss to the Turf Builders Campaign at Abia Judd Elementary School.

 

One hundred twenty-seven dollars and eighty cents from the Prescott High School Band Boosters to Granite Mountain Middle School.

 

Fifty dollars from Ms. Barbara Sims to Granite Mountain Middle School in memory of Justin Clement.

 

Golf balls valued at $87.25 from Mr. William Stafford to Prescott High School.

 

Sixteen hundred dollars from Randy and Linda Weatbrook to Miller Valley Elementary School.

 

An airfare ticket valued at $1,248 from Kevin and Kaycee Williams for training at a Total Door Repair Seminar to further train in door safety and management for District buildings and schools.

 

One hundred dollars from Arrowhead Signs for the Josephine Feiten Culinary Scholarship Fund.

 

A  trumpet valued at $400 from Melvin and Norma Kornblatt.

 

A printer and monitor from Mr. Robert Snow.

 

 

 

 

 

The ratification of vouchers as presented:

 

Voucher #                                                              Amount

 

Payroll Voucher #9                                              $945,835.38

Payroll Voucher #10                                            $961,482.11

Expenditure Voucher #7025                                $144,192.04

Expenditure Voucher #7026                                  $43,822.00

Expenditure Voucher #7027                                $376,199.70

Expenditure Voucher #7028                                $143,791.94

Expenditure Voucher #7029                                    $2,569.48                

Expenditure Voucher #7030                                  $69,947.11

Expenditure Voucher #7031                                $360,356.01

 

Consider approving the Auxiliary Operations and Student Activities Fund Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for the month of October 2006 as presented.

 

Consider the review and approval of previous minutes from the

Governing Board Executive and Study Session of November 7, 2006, and the Executive and Voting Session of November 14, 2006

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

          Dr. Andy Newton moved that the meeting be adjourned.  Mr. Steve          Campbell seconded the motion.

 

          Mrs. Dee Navarro voted aye, Dr. Andy Newton voted aye, Mr. Tom Staley voted aye, Mr. Steve Campbell voted aye, and President Joan Fleming         voted aye.  The motion carried 4-0.

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.

 

 

 

___________________________________

Governing Board Member